T-Mobile Blocks "Tablet" Plans with CAT18 (and above)

[CaptainGizmo]

Wanted to provide a current post, as of today 1/22/22/

I've just confirmed after spending last couple days digging through tech posts, documents, and multiple phone calls.

T-Mobile ABSOLUTELY blocks a CAT18 modem using a normal "Tablet SIM". Even though it's "supposedly" a SIM for a tablet, and not a phone, it's not on a TRUE DATA plan, and their system will NOT allow it to connect.

Before calling T-Mobile, I had a brand new SIM card, put it into my CAT12 Transit and it instantly connected. Moved that card to the new CradlePoint IBR1700 with Dual CAT18 modems and NO GO!

Got ahold of a fantastic upper level engineer at T-Mobile, and we confirmed that it is, indeed, the plan that the "Tablet SIM" is on that causes the system to block connections from CAT18 modems.

Once he re-provisioned the card to a simple 5GB DATA plan, I was able to connect without a problem.

We did this temporarily since it didn't affect billing at all. This is only for testing and I'm not going to bump the plan up to $50/mo for only 50GB; I have other things in mind. But at least this was an answer to what's going on with newest modems and T-Mobile.

[tetranz]

I don't really get the point you're making.

If I'm understanding correctly, you have a tablet plan that you're trying to use in a router. It works in one router but not another. That doesn't surprise me. When you put a SIM in an unapproved device, it's a game of chance as to what works or not or how long it might work for. I'm kind of surprised that the engineer didn't simply say "Don't do that. Tablet plans are for tablets, not routers.".

I doubt if someone at T-Mobile made a decision to specially allow CAT12 but block CAT18 modems. I think it's probably more just luck that your CAT12 IMEI is somehow not getting caught. Maybe the modem in the CAT12 router is the same as that used in some tablets.

This is why many people, right or wrongly, do some "magic" config on their router to make it look like the approved device for a non-router plan, i.e., make the router look like a tablet or phone. Unfortunately you can't easily do that with a Pepwave.

[CaptainGizmo]

My point was not to have an argument of “if it hurts when you hit your hand with a banner, then don’t do that.” Instead, the point was to back up a suspicion that has been circulating on the forums.

You’re right in everything you say and is nothing different than I’ve been saying as I help others wrap their head around this topic.

The one thing I’m not sure you’re up to speed on, is that T-Mobile has been very open with allowing their “tablet” cards be used in many devices. After all, a tablet plan is supposed to be DATA only and, in the past, the engineers have all agreed. That’s why I think it’s worked just fine.

As to one router vs another, you may be right. However, with the experience some have had, it still points to the fact that Cat18 and above are blocked. So, that…along with what the engineer agreed with…prompted this post.

Again, not supposed to be an argument or a reprimand for those who can “get away with it.”